Evacuation Efforts Intensify as Russian Forces Close In on Pokrovsk

UAUkraine|

As Russian forces approach within 2 kilometers of Pokrovsk, evacuation efforts are ramping up in the besieged city, according to local humanitarian workers. Anton Yaremchuk, a Ukrainian cinematographer turned aid worker, is spearheading these missions and has successfully evacuated approximately 3,000 civilians since the onset of the war in February 2022. “There are around 7,000 people still there. We'll try to get some people out of that nightmare,” he stated, describing recent conditions as “hell.”

On a recent mission, Yaremchuk, alongside his team, encountered elderly residents like 71-year-old Olga, who expressed sorrow at leaving behind her home after 65 years due to increasingly dire circumstances. She stated, "It’s not life any more, it’s like hell." The deteriorating situation is compounded by a lack of utilities and continued shelling, with many residents remaining reluctant to leave.

Following a recent drone attack that injured a volunteer, evacuation operations have been temporarily suspended in Pokrovsk, highlighting the escalating dangers faced by aid workers and civilians alike. The Ukrainian police unit, White Angels, remains active, attempting to rescue residents in the city, which is now devoid of vital resources.

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